Vol. 7, Issue 4 (2018)

Author(s):
Shruti Chauhan and Amit Alexander Charan

Abstract:
Zika virus, a flavivirus which is spread by Aedes mosquitoes, was considered as innocent pathogen while restricted to the African and Asian population. However, after reaching the Americas in March 2015, it became a global threat. Alterations in methylation of Zika virus genomic RNA has significant impact on virus production. Zika virus was initially thought to cause asymptomic or only mild, self-limiting symptoms, but more severe cases and the sequela of Guillain-Barre syndrome have now been recognized. In utero exposure has been observed to result in a congenital syndrome marked by and a range of other brain anomalies. Although vaccine development is an active area of research, there is currently no vaccine of treatment for Zika virus infection. Continued epidemiological monitoring as well as basic research into the biology, pathogenesis (virus-host interaction), and immunology of Zika virus and Zika fever is needed to develop effective counter-measures and vaccines.